ELECTIONS OF MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT OF UKRAINE, 2019 It is forbidden to keep persons in the room where votes are counted if they do not want to continue their observation. Preventing authorized agents, official observers and media representatives from attending a meeting or forcing them to stay at such a meeting until its conclusion without their consent is a violation of their rights under the law. However, such a violation does not entail liability if it is not combined with deception or coercion, the use of violence, destruction or damage to property and the threats of such actions (parts 1 and 2 of Article 157 of the Criminal Code). The PEC Chair should be informed about the right of authorized agents, political party representatives, official observers and media representatives to freely enter and exit the counting room as well as to explain to election participants their right to appeal to DECs or the administrative court. An official observer has the right to be present at PEC and DEC meetings (representing one entity); take photos; record audio and video recordings and films; and, without violating the secrecy of the ballot, be present at the issuance of ballots. Official observers can also apply to the relevant election commission or court to eliminate violations of the law in case they are detected; 52